Ingredients
1 lb ground turkey or lean ground beef
1 medium zucchini, finely grated and squeezed dry
1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1.5 cups marinara sauce
1 cup shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
4 sub rolls or hoagie buns
Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Step 2: Grate the zucchini using a fine grater. Place the grated zucchini in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and squeeze firmly over the sink to remove as much moisture as possible.
Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, squeezed zucchini, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Step 4: Mix the ingredients by hand until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat. Shape the mixture into approximately 16-20 meatballs.
Step 5: Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until they are browned and reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Step 6: While the meatballs bake, slice the sub rolls and toast them lightly in the oven or a toaster. Spread a small amount of marinara sauce on the bottom of each roll.
Step 7: Place 4-5 meatballs into each roll, top with remaining marinara sauce and a generous sprinkle of mozzarella cheese.
Step 8: Place the assembled subs back into the oven under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Ensure you squeeze the zucchini very well to prevent the meatballs from becoming mushy. You can also freeze the cooked meatballs for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Healthy Dinner
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sub
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Zucchini Meatballs, Healthy Dinner, Meatball Subs, Hidden Veggies, Kid Friendly, Mozzarella

